Fighting With Your Pillow is a Pain in the Neck
Have you ever fought with your pillow or mattress and woke up with a kink in your neck that prevents you from turning or moving your head? Perhaps you decided to change to a different pillow or invest in a new one, but it still doesn’t seem to help. It’s not necessarily the pillow’s fault; getting a different one is unlikely to change the fact that you might still be struggling with it. The underlying issue may actually be your shoulder.
Understanding the Role of the Shoulder
Let’s explore why the shoulder may be the culprit. The shoulder is connected to the shoulder blade, which in turn is connected to the spine through the mid-back and neck. If your shoulder is inflamed due to conditions like bursitis or impingement, sleeping on it can lead your body to protect it by adjusting the position of the shoulder blade. Since all the muscles that move the shoulder blade are also connected to the neck, pressure on an irritated shoulder can result in neck pain. This explains why previous treatments focused on the neck may not have alleviated your discomfort—it could actually be a shoulder issue.
Mechanics of the Shoulder
The shoulder functions as a ball-and-socket joint, similar to a golf ball on a tee. When we move our arm, the ball rolls and glides within the socket. However, if the socket is stiff—perhaps due to overuse or a past injury—the body compensates by moving the shoulder blade instead. This compensation can lead to increased muscle activity around the neck, causing irritation.
Restoring Shoulder Function
To restore motion to the shoulder and correct abnormal movement patterns, it’s important to address the restrictions affecting the joint. Consulting your friendly neighborhood Doctor of Physical Therapy at Jump 4 Wellness can be an effective way to break up these restrictions. Additionally, at-home self-stretching and passive range of motion exercises can be beneficial. A shoulder pulley system is an excellent tool for anyone looking to rehabilitate their shoulder. You can get one here:
Or you build one from ACE or Home Depot for about $2.00.
Successful rehabilitation involves restoring proper mechanics and unlearning compensatory habits that may have developed over the years. Addressing these issues can lead to lasting relief from both shoulder and neck pain.
Stay Healthy Movers!
